Walker said via a press release that SB54 "helps to build a Safer Alaska" and that this returns "important tools to the law enforcement community."

Highlights of the changes include:

Class C Felonies now have a probationary sentence to a term of 0-2 years of jail. Second felony offenses changed from 1-3 years to 1-4 years, while third class C felony offenses remain unchanged. Due to these changes, courts should be more willing to hold offenders on bail for a first C felony conviction, because that sentence can include active jail time.

SB 54 has also created a new graduated sentencing structure for theft of property valued less than $250. First time offenders can be sentenced to up to five days of jail time. On a second conviction, that sentence increases to up to 10 days, while a third conviction can be up to 15 days. On a fourth conviction, the offense is upgraded to a class A misdemeanor, which under most circumstances will be punishable by up to 30 days of jail time.

For sex offenses, SB54 returns the offense to a misdemeanor, punishable with up to five days of jail time. This also clarifies the offense as a misdemeanor so that judges and law enforcement may arrest a person and hold them until bail is set on the new offense. There is also a mandatory probation period for sex offenders. Unclassified felonies will get 15 years of probation, while class A or B felonies receive 10 years, and class C will get 5 years.

Lastly, SB 54 amended the statutes to ensure those who profit from other sex workers can be held accountable as sex traffickers.

Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) Low high school graduation rates and low rates of college entry are among the concerns for the future listed by President Jim Johnsen in his annual 'State of the system' address.